Representatives of youth hubs, traditional authorities, Pharmacy Council, Anti-Drug Abuse Task Force, and civil society organisations at this year’s Denmark Seminar have called for strong enforcement regime to tackle the growing menace of abuse of drugs amongst the youth.
They argued that the drug menace was destroying young people and tackling it decisively would help save and protect the youth to preserve the country’s future.
This year’s Denmark Seminar, the 29th in the series, was on the theme: “A Ghana Without Illicit Drugs: Our Youth; Our Future”.
The two-day event, held at Dalun in the Kumbungu District of the Northern Region, featured three topics, including the effect and impact of illicit use of drugs on the Ghanaian Youth, the role of manufacturers and distributors of drugs in curbing drug abuse in northern Ghana, and the role of Traditional Leaders in preventing drug abuse in northern Ghana.
Some of the youth participants shared their personal experiences on drug use and how they got rehabilitated.
The annual seminar, was instituted to discuss issues of national importance and celebrate the friendship between Ghana Developing Communities Association (GDCA), a Tamale-based NGO, and its Danish friends; Ghana Venskab (Ghana Friends).
Sagnar-Naa Abdulai Yakubu, Paramount Chief of Sagnarigu Traditional Area, made a presentation at the seminar on the topic: “The Role of Traditional Leaders in preventing Drug Abuse in Northern Ghana”.
He said it was time for strong action on the parts of government to tackle the menace.
He spoke about the drug menace across the globe and efforts being made to tackle it and said traditional leaders were ready to partner the state to address the phenomenon.
Dr Osman Al-Hassan, Chairman, Governing Board of GDCA, said abuse of drugs, once upon a time seen as a distant issue, had now emerged as a serious public health and social crisis in the country, hence the focus on it as part of the seminar.
Madam Vera Jawol Magan, Director, YEFL Ghana, citing various studies, said out of 5,000 young people identified as drug users, 3,000 were students.
She said a study conducted in Tamale and its surrounding areas revealed that 17.8 per cent of university students reported having used Tramadol while another survey involving senior high schools in Tamale found that 63% of the 430 students assessed showed signs of drug abuse.
She emphasised the need for early intervention in schools, stronger parental supervision, a shift toward regulated prescription practices and a multi-sector approach to addressing the crisis.
Mr Saani Mohammed Lukman from the Anti-Drug Task Force, Northern Region, said while the Task Force often confiscated illicit drugs from young people and destroyed them, there were cartels bent on ensuring that the menace continued to thrive.
He said the Task Force faced logistical challenges but assured that it would continue its efforts to tackle the situation.
Mr Edmund Manteaw Ayeh, Acting Regional Director, Pharmacy Council, Northern Region, said there were lapses in drug distribution and sales where stakeholders did not keep proper records to track sale of prescription drugs.
He called on all stakeholders in the drug distribution and sales chain to do the right things to help tackle the illicit drug use menace.
Miss Johanne Ravn Abildgaard, a representative of Ghana Venskab, gave a presentation highlighting how substance abuse, especially of alcohol amongst young people was an issue in Denmark.
She mentioned measures adopted in Denmark to address the situation, which included school-based interventions, youth outreach programmes, and free treatment centers for young addicts.
She emphasised need for public awareness campaigns and said communities must ensure vulnerable individuals received support before they turned to drugs.
Mr Ali Adolf John, Northern Regional Minister, whose speech was read on his behalf by the Kumbungu District Chief Executive, called for a united approach to tackling the drug crisis.
He said individuals involved in illicit drugs’ trade must face the full force of the law to protect communities and the future of the youth.
He commended GDCA and Ghana Venskab for sustaining their partnership, which had promoted development and cultural exchanges.
Dalun-Lana Tapha Mahamadu II urged NGOs, policymakers and traditional authorities to work together to address the negative impact of abuse of drugs on communities.
He commended GDCA and its Danish partners for their impactful interventions over the past 41 years helping to strengthen communities and improve livelihoods.
Source: GNA
The post Denmark Seminar: Stakeholders demand strong efforts to tackle drugs abuse among youth appeared first on Ghana Business News.
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